Drive for washing machine tubs and agitators



Jan. 18, 1955 G. P. cAsTNER DRIVE FOR WASHING MACHINE TUBS AND AGITATORS @riginal Filed April 12, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN V EN TIOR. GEORGE P 45m/ER A fr0 m/ys Jan. 18, 1955 G. P. CASTNER DRIVE FOR WASHING MACHINE TUBS AND AGITATORS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed April 12, 1947 m. m w w.

650x165 P @Asme-R rromvfys United States Patent Patented Jan. 18, 1955 lice `DRIVEFOR WASHING MACHINE TUBS `AND AGITATORS Georgel'. Castner,Webster City,` Iowa, assignor to Solar Corporation,`Milwaukee,` Wis., a corporation of Dela- `ware Original application `April 12, 1947, SerialNo. 741,083, "fnow "Patent No. -2`,648,`213,fdated AVAugust 11, "1953. "Dividedwand this `application Jly31, 1952, Serial No. 301,876

`This invention relates to improvements in drive mechanisms for clothes Washing machines `and is a 'divisionl `from my copending t application Serial` No. "741,08 3 "tiled April 12, 1947, -and nowPatent No. 2,648,213, issued August 11, `1953. -Also fdisclosed herein `is a Fclothes washing machine similar inumanyrespects to that shown in Patent No. 2,513,844, "iniwhichilvarn `a `co- `inventor, -and to a 4drive mechanism similar in :some `respects to that shown inA Patent No. 2,613,845,` in `which I am soleinventor.

The invention furtherand more particularly relates to so-called automatic lwashing machines in which the `clothes andv cleansing liquidfare agitated` for washing purposes in an `imperforate tub `and in 'which `the tub, "following the "washingl'actionyis Irotate'd at high `speed for centrifugally expelling the cleansing liquid from `the clothes. The `various washing, rinsing `and extraction Vcycles arecarried out-automatically in `proper sequence and `for `proper periods of time. Inthelmachine as shown .in the,qpriorlapplication -and :patents and as disclosed herein, the washing action fistcarricdoutbythe time rproven nagitator whichis oscillated in and with lrespect .tto the ftub itself and -it is, itherefore, 1necessary in order `to operate .this agitator, ase-well l:asto spinl the tub for `extracting theiliquids, thatsuitable means-be provided `for `transmitting oscillating motionfto-the Yagitator Aand `rotary motion to the tub for `controlled periods ofltime. As is `well` known to"ithosetskilled .inthe `artnallksuch machines-[have in common ftheproblem of preventing excessive vibration `when `theitub is `rotatedtfor extracting ltbe liquid, which' vibrations are induced -by` the `tendency `of `the tub ,to gyrate or precessas it is -setin `motion and broughtnup to 4centrifuging ispeed. Suchgyration occurs as a result of the unbalanced load conditions in `the tub, as represented-by the'wetc1othes "which Aare seldom if ever evenly distributed -as to weight `about the axis of rotation when the extraction begins. One satisfactory solution of this problem is-disclosed in the two patents identified above, Patent No. ,2,513,844 showing means for snubbing orfrictionally land yieldably resisting the gyratory tendencies `of the tub, whereas "Patent No. 2,513,845 discloses a `fluid drive or fluid coupling the operation of which `permitsia gradual acceleration of the tub as it is brought up to centrifuge speed. Such gradual acceleration of the tub is extremelyrimportant and is accomplished by using a fluid-coupling having a high initial slippage factor, as set forth in the/patent in question.

In the interest of economy and simplicity it is desirabletto use a single prime mover, usually takingthe form` of t an electric motor,` for driving both the agitator and tub and it is the primaryobject of this invention toprovide drive t mechanism t using a Vsingle motor, `as contrasted with the two motors `used in the prior patents, with `means for transmitting torque from the motor through the uid coupling `to` the tub itself and `means for converting rotary to oscillating motion connected between the same motor and the agitator. It is further desirable in such machines for the motor to run con- "tinuously, but in order to take advantage of the high initial slippage characteristic of the fluid coupler this coupling must remain atfrest, or idle, except when the tub is being rotated for extraction. It is a further ob ject of my invention, therefore, to provide a drive mechanism, including a clutch `for selectively transmitting torque from the motor to the iiuid coupling so thatthe coupling may remain at rest when not actually` in use, and a second clutch for disabling `the torque transmission from the motor to the agitator duringthe extraction process. According to my invention, therefore, the `drive mechanism constituting the basis of this application comprises `a `single motor, a transmission device for converting rotating motion to oscillating motion `andza clutch by which thellatter motion may be selectively transmitted to lthe agitator, along with a fluid coupling with a high initial slippage characteristic connectedito the tub and with another clutch for selectively'driving the coupling from the motor.

These'and other more detailedvand specific-objects will be disclosed inthe course of the following specifica tion, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,

`in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional View, `partially in elevation, and showing an automatic washing "machinex-according to my prior disclosures but with the drive mechanism constituting the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectionalview #ofthe fluid couplingand adjacentfparts ofthe drive mechanism, as appearing to the `lower left in Fig. r1.

Fig. 3 is arplan view `of the drive mechanism showing all of the belting between the various parts thereof and showing `certain supporting posts, as well las "the agitator and tub connections in .horizontal section.

`Referring now more particularly and by reference characters to the drawing, .the construction of thelwash- Aing machine itself will `first be described-insuicient detail to enablean understanding `of the `presentinvention. The machine comprises an `outer casing, or hous ing, designated generally `at 10,1which is -divided -into `upper and lower chambers lliand 12 by ahorizontal .a center bearing` support 17 Aabout which theinner `assembly ofthe machine 4mayrgyrate. Said .inner 4assembly constitutes essentially of a rotatable tub 18,'.into theopen upper end of `whichthe rclothes andfwashing liquidirmay betplaced, `and thisr tub Vhast-a center Ymounting portion 19 by which 4it is .fastened-'upona tubular spindle 4120 which is journaled in a bearing-sleeve-21. The-spindle 2.0 and sleeve 21 are .disposed on fan-upright` axis and extend downward through a tubular neck 22`fforming part of the aforesaid partition plate-113. kBelow tthe, plate the sleeve.21 is connected toan upperrframeplate'ZS located in the lower chamberf12and rigidlymounted =b y a series of `spacer posts V24 to a` loWenframe plate 25, which in turn is supported by a VUeshaped member=-26 upon the aforesaid bearing 17 in :a manner-describedzin detail in the `prior Patent No. 2,513,844. Thevcollar 22 `provides clearance for gyration of `this `entire .assembly about the `bearing 17 but suclrmotion is `resisted by snubbing mechanism, as set forth `in thatp'atent, Kand `including a series of radially arranged `springs27 which are here shown and which extend between studs.28 upon the plate 23 and suitable brackets n29 `secured to the inside of the casing 10. The spindle 20 extends `downwardly below the upper plate and secured to the Alower end of the spindle is a large belt pulley A30, It is not `believed that a further detailed `description of this tub arrangement and mounting is necessary `herein in View of the prior disclosure, but it will benoted that ythe tub has upwardly flaring walls so that uponv rotation vof (the tub the liquid content thereof will be centrifugally expelled in an outward and upward direction, Such -ex pelled liquid may then pass -off `throughna drain 31 in the partition plate 13 and the liquid is withdrawn by means of a pump 32 supported below the lower Yframe plate 25 with suitable connections to the `drain 31,as clearly shown and also as set `forth in the prior patenta Also forming part of the machine is an agitator, designated generally at 33, located within the tub 18 and rsupported by means of a vertical shaft .34 extending down through the tubular spindle 20 to a pointbelow thepulley 30, at which point thetshaft is vprovidedrwith one `section 35 of a clutch. The other section 36 of suchclutchris secured to the output shaft of a transmission device 37 such as set forth in the prior patents and which is of the type converting rotary to oscillating motion. This transmission is secured to the underside of the lower frame plate 25 and has an upwardly extending input shaft, designated at 38, upon which is mounted a pulley 39 appearing in Fig. 3 herein. It will be clearly apparent that upon engagement of the clutch sections 35-36 the oscillating motion out of the transmission device 37 will be transmitted to the agitator shaft 34 to the agitator 33 to cause oscillation thereof about an upright axis and agitation of the contents of the tub by the vanes 40.

The transmission 37 is driven by an electric motor or other suitable prime mover, designated at 41, which is suspended below the lower frame plate 25 with its shaft extending upwardly therethrough. Mounted, then, upon this shaft 42 of the motor is a belt pulley 43 in horizontal alignment with the aforesaid pulley 39 and trained around these pulleys is a belt 44 connecting the motor to the input of the transmission. The aforesaid pump 32 also -has an upwardly projecting shaft on which is mounted a Ybelt pulley 45 and a belt 46 is trained around this pulley -and a similar pulley upon the motor shaft 42 for driv bracket 53 upon the lower frame plate 25 at one side of the machine. Upon this countershaft there is loosely mounted a pulley 54 above the bracket 53 and this pulley is connected by a belt 55 to a pulley 56 at the upper end of the motor shaft 42. The pulley 54 is selectively connectible to drive the countershaft 51 through a clutch having an upper section 57, which is secured at 58 to a sleeve 59 journaled upon the countershaft and extending upward through the hub of the pulley and secured thereto by means of a set screw 60 or equivalent. The clutch further includes a.lower section 61 secured to the countershaft 51 and axially slidable upward and downward thereon to control torque transmission between the pulley 54 and the shaft. This clutch section 61 is moved upward and downward by means of a bell crank shifter fork 62 fulcrumed at 63 upon the lower frame plate 25 and oscillated by means of a solenoid 64 in a manner which will be clearly apparent.

The driving element or impeller 49 of the fluid coupling 48 is centrally formed with a depending mounting sleeve 65 which is threaded at 66 upon the upper end of the countershaft 51 and locked thereto by means of a key 67. The driven element 50 of the fluid coupling is located below the driving element 49 and is centrally formed with an upwardly extending sleeve 68 journaled by means of bushings 69 upon the aforesaid sleeve 66 for free rotation with respect thereto. The driven element 50 of the coupling also constitutes the lower portion of an enclosing housing in conjunction with an upper housing section 72 overlying the driving element 49 and marginally secured by means of a peripheral weld 73, or equivalent, to the upper, outer edge of element 50. This housing construction thus forms a sealed chamber about the driving and driven elements of the coupling and said chamber is partially filled with a fluid, such as oil, to an amount substantially less than the total capacity of the chamber, as indicated in the drawing. For so filling the coupling a center plug 74 is removably threaded into the upper housing section 72 and it will be noted that there is provided a ball 75 and spring 76 for taking up any end play which may develop between the coupling parts, as set forth in detail in the parent application.

The driven element 50 of the fluid coupling is provided at its underside with a pulley 77, around which is trained a belt 78, through which torque may be transmitted from the fluid coupling to the aforesaid pulley 3i) on the lower end of the spindle which drives the tub 18.

As described above the fluid chamber of the coupling 48 contains less than the full capacity of the chamber and ideally is filled with fluid only to a point at which the vanes 49 of the upper or driving element will clear the Vnitude.

fluid when it is ,at rest. In order to transmit torque through the coupling I then provide splash or dip vanes 79 which are secured to the driving element 49, inwardly of the radial vanes thereof, and which dip into the body of fluid at their lower ends. It will thus be understood that when the driving element 49 is set in motion these vanes 79 will gradually vortex the fluid so that it will rise into torque transmitting engagement with the vanes 4911-50a of both driving and driven elements, and as result the coupling will have a high initial slippage actor.

In operation the agitator 33 is oscillated for washing the clothes by the motor 41 through the belt 44 operating over the pulleys 43--39 and driving the transmission 37, the oscillating output of which is connected through the clutch sections 35-36 to the agitator shaftr34, The clutch sections 35--36 are engaged during such" operation by means'of a solenoid and shifter fork, similar to that appearing at 62-64 herein and is -describedindetail in the prior disclosures. When the washing opera tion is completed the clutch sections 35-36 are disengaged in order to stop the agitator without stopping the motor 41 and the clutch sections 57-61 are now engaged so that the motor will be connected through the belt 55 and pulleys 54 and 56 to the countershaft 51. As this countershaft begins to rotate the driving element 49 of the uid coupling is set in motion and the vanes 79 gradually bring the fluid in the coupling into driving engagement with the vanes 4991-505' on the driving and driven elements, whereupon the resulting rotation of the pulleys 77 will be transmitted through the belt 78 to the pulley 30 which drives the tub 18 through the spindle 20. The tub will thus be gradually accelerated, due to the inherent initial high slippage in the fluid coupling and the amount of such slippage'will be determined to a large extent by the magnitude of the unbalanced load as represented by the wet clothes, as they rest unevenly about the axis of the tub following the washing operation. It will, of course, be understood that as the tub speed increases and the liquid is gradually centrifuged out of the tub the magnitude of this unbalanced load condition will decrease and the tub speed will continue to build up, so that the nal extraction speed willV be high enough for complete extraction but without at any time developing a gyrating or precessing action of an undesirable mag- When the centrifuging action is completed the clutch sections 57--61 may be disengaged and the tub 18 will stop ready for the next cycle of operation.

I have therefore provided a simple and effective drive mechanism permitting the oscillation of the agitator and rotation of the tub by means of a single motor and with provision for selectively connecting the fluid drive coupling to the motor, as is necessary in order to take advantage of the high initial slippage of the coupling for gradually accelerating the tub. In order to utilize this initial slippage factor of the coupling it is necessary that it operate only when the tub is to be rotated for centrifuging its liquid content, and to run the coupling continuously would be impractical from this standpoint.

It is understood thatsuitable modifications may be made in the structure as disclosed,'provided such modifications corne within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Having now therefore fully illustrated and described my invention, What I claim to be new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. For a washing machine having a rotary clothes receptacle and an agitator oscillatable with respect to said receptacle, drive mechanism for the receptacle and agitator comprising in combination, a transmission for converting rotary to oscillating motion, a motor, a fluid coupling having cooperating varied driving and driven elements arranged on an upright axis and means forming a sealed chamber about said elements and containing fluid for coaction with said vaned elements, means connecting the driven element of the fluid coupling to the receptacle, means including a clutch for selectively connecting the driving element of the coupling to the motor, and means connecting the motor through the transmission to the agitator and including a second clutch.

2. For use in a washing machine, a first member to be rotated, a second member to be oscillated with respect to the first member and a transmission drive of the type converting rotary to oscillating motion connected to the second member, a fluid coupling having cooperating vaned driving and driven elements and means fomnng a sealed chamber thereabout containing iluid in an amount less than the total capacity of the chamber whereby a high initial slippage will occur with the transmission of torque through the coupling, means connecting the driven element of the fluid coupling to the first member, a single electric motor adapted to run continuously when the washing machine is in use, means including a first clutch for selectively driving the driving element of the coupling from the motor, and means including a second clutch for driving the second member from the motor through the said transmission device.

3. For use in a washing machine, a first member to be rotated, a second member to be oscillated with respect to the rst, a fluid coupling having cooperating vaned driving and driven elements and means forming a sealed chamber about said elements and said chamber containing fluid for coaction with the said varied elements, a countershaft and means supporting the fluid coupling on the countershaft and connecting the driving element and shaft, means connecting the driven element of the lluid coupling to the said rst member, a single electric motor, means including a first clutch connecting the motor and countershaft for driving said driving element of the fluid coupling, a transmission device of the type connecting rotary to oscillating motion, and means including a second clutch for connecting the motor through said transmission device to the said second member.

4. For a clothes washing machine having a rotary clothesreceptacle adapted to be rotated for centrifugally extracting cleansing liquid from the clothes and having as oscillating agitator for washing the clothes, drive mechanism comprising a single electric motor, a trans mission for converting rotary to oscillating motion, means connecting the motor to drive the transmission Whenever the motor is in operation, means including a clutch for selectively transmitting oscillating motion from the transmission to the agitator, a uid coupling having upper and lower vaned elements and a housing forming a chamber about said elements for containing uid to transmit torque from one vaned element to the other, means connecting one of the vaned elements to rotate the clothes receptacle, and means for transmitting torque from the motor to the other of said vaned elements and including a clutch which when disengaged will cause the vaned elements to remain at rest while the motor is in operation.

5. For a clothes washing machine of the character described having a rotary clothes receptacle and an oscillatable agitator, a drive mechanism comprising in combination, a single electric motor having a shaft, a transmission for converting rotary motion to oscillating motion, a belt drive from the motor shaft to the transmission for transmitting torque, a shaft connected to the agitator, a clutch having cooperating clutch parts on the transmission and shaft for selectively transmitting oscillating motion to the agitator from the transmission, a fluid coupling having superimposed vaned driving and driven elements and a housing forming a sealed chamber about said elements containing iluid in an amount less than the total capacity of the chamber whereby there will be a high initial slippage through the coupling when the same is set in rotation from the stationary condition, a tubular shaft connected to the receptacle and surrounding the shaft connected to the agitator, a belt drive connecting the driven element of the fluid coupling to the tubular shaft, and another clutch connected between the motor shaft and the driving element of the coupling and engageable to transmit torque from the motor and set the coupling in motion from a stationary condition to transmit torque in turn to the receptacle with a high initial slippage.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,369,905 Page Feb. 20, 1945 2,513,844 Castner July 4, 1950 2,513,845 Castner July 4, 1950 2,526,969 Powers Oct. 24, 1950 2,538,246 Holm-Hansen Jan. 16, 1951 2,625,244 Castner Jan. 13, 1953 

